Al Zaidi Chair of Research in Rheumatic Diseases at the College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), organized an awareness campaign on the occasion of the World Arthritis Day. The event took place on Friday-Saturday, 13-14^th October 2017, at the Jeddah-based Mall of Arabia. It was attended by Prof. Dr. Hani bin Muhammad Al-Mu’allem (Head of Al Zaidi Chair), the participating students, as well as a number of health-interested persons. The campaign is determined to continue on Friday-Saturday, 20^th -21^st October 2017, at the Makkah-based Makkah Mall.

During the event, Dr. Al-Mu’allem pointed out that the aim of activating such campaigns was to raise health awareness of and educate the members of society and to contribute to social responsibility towards society. He also confirmed the support and attention by Dr. Bakri bin Maatouq Assas, President of Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), towards all the events and programs of Al Zaidi Chair. He also commended the achievements fulfilled by the Chair, pointing out that it was necessary to gain the support of companies and entities for such campaigns in order to raise health awareness and culture within society.

In the same context, Dr. Walid bin Abul-Rabb Hafedh, Scientific Coordinator at Al Zaidi Chair, stressed the necessity to hold such events to raise health awareness among the members of society. He added that this would help patients identify the symptoms of these diseases, take medical advice for early diagnosis and treatment, and prevent the occurrence of deformities and disabilities in the future.

It is worth mentioning that the event witnessed a large presence of visitors and interested persons. They commended the corners associated with the campaign under the supervision of Dr. Aws Al-Hazmi, Project Manager at Al Zaidi Chair, with the participation of a group of third-year Medicine students who spread awareness among visitors against such disease. In addition, the campaign included clinics for early examination under the supervision of consultants in arthritis and rheumatic diseases, and a corner of ultrasound to diagnose and follow up some arthritis and rheumatoid diseases.